Danube Cruise Ports
Budapest, Hungary
EMBARKATION
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
Breathtaking Budapest
One of the most fascinating cities in the world, Budapest is brimming with must-see sites - and you’ll experience many of them on this wonderful guided excursion. On this can’t-miss tour of Budapest’s beloved sights, you’ll admire the impressive silhouette of the Hungarian Parliament from Buda, see the many bridges spanning over the Danube and follow the ringroads and boulevards of the Pest side flanked by captivating architecture.
Hike to the Citadel in Budapest with your Adventure Host
The best place to see Budapest from a hill top is at citadel. Witness an amazing view of Budapest with all the bridges crossing the Danube and more.
Bratislava, Slovakia
PORT OF CALL
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
The beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center.
Bratislava, Slovakia's Off-the-Beaten- Path Capital
Step off the beaten path to discover the beauty and allure of Bratislavia, charming Slovakian capital. Led by an expert guide, stroll along the cobblestone streets and admire Bratislava Castle looming above; onion-domed Michael’s Gate, a vestige of the medieval wall that once surrounded the city; the Old Town Hall, whose tower was built in 1370; and more. You’ll also visit St. Martin’s Cathedral, where many Hungarian kings and queens were crowned. Afterward, there’s free time to explore on your own. Don’t miss the quirky bronze sculpture of Čumil the Sewer Worker peeking up from the manhole, and be sure to look for cannonballs embedded in buildings throughout the Old Town, reminders of Napoleon’s 3-day “visit” in 1809!
Hike to Bratislava Castle
Don’t step off the beaten path—hike up it for a unique perspective of Slovakia’s capital city! Join your Adventure Host for an exhilarating hour-long hike through town and up to Bratislava Castle. Perched high atop a rocky hill, the white 4-tower castle has stood sentry over Bratislava for centuries, and was among the few castles under the Kingdom of Hungary to withstand Mongol attacks in 1241 and 1242. Once you reach the top, you’ll enjoy excellent views of Bratislava, Austria, the Danube, and the surrounding river valley—and on a clear day, you may even be able to spot parts of Hungary in the distance!
Vienna, Austria
PORT OF CALL
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte
Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
If you’re a fan of fine art, then this excursion to Vienna’s incomparable Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) is for you! After a short walking tour of Vienna inner city you’ll be visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum; Opened along the Ringstrasse in 1891, the palatial complex houses incredible pieces of art from all around the world.
Treasures of Vienna’s Ringstrasse
Few cities rival the beauty and stately splendor of Vienna, and this fantastic guided excursion introduces you to the exquisite architectural wonders along the UNESCO World Heritage Ringstrasse, the “Lord of the Ring Roads”. See the striking Vienna State Opera; the Imperial Palace, winter residence of the imperial family; Parliament; City Hall; and more. Pas by the historic Café Demel on your way to the monumental 12th-century St. Stephen's Cathedral, where your tour ends.
Biking in Vienna
Explore one of Vienna's favorite recreational paradise - the Danube Island. This 21-kilometer long Danube island is not only the favorite recreational region of the Viennese, it is also an unforgettable experience for visitors to Vienna. Join your Adventure Host for a fun and relaxing bike ride on this island.
Durnstein-Wachau Valley
PORT OF CALL
A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins
Dürnstein, Pearl of the Wachau Valley
Hugging a bend of the mighty Danube and tucked just below a dramatic cliff where the Dürnstein Castle ruins stand sentry is the tiny village of Dürnstein. Led by an expert guide, immerse yourself in the fairytale scenery as you stroll through a labyrinth of cobblestone lanes past 16th-century buildings and the iconic blue and white Stiftskirche. Along the way, hear the fascinating tale of England’s King Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned here on his way back from the Crusades in 1192—and how his minstrel, Blondel, found him!
Romance and Royalty of Ybbs and Artstetten Castle
Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle. Walk the halls where world history was made by the lives and deaths of the fortress’ most famed inhabitants—Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie of Hohenberg. Today, the descendants of the Hohenberg family occupy the castle with care, welcoming visitors worldwide. During your tour, you’ll see the family crypt, visit the onsite museum, and sip sparkling wine or juice while hearing family tales from the 21st-century residents of Artstetten Castle.
Melk Abbey, Icon of a Millennium
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube River, Melk Abbey’s brilliant golden walls and exquisite baroque towers have made it one of Austria’s most iconic spiritual and cultural centers for a thousand years. Led by an expert guide, explore this intriguing UNESCO World Heritage Site that was first a palace before its transformation into a Benedictine monastery. See its lavish library filled with priceless manuscripts; former imperial corridor and grandiose balcony; Marble Hall; Abbey Church—and don’tmiss a peek at the mind-bending spiral staircase!
Linz, Austria
PORT OF CALL
Legendary, Lovely Linz
Take a walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.
Gems of Linz: Castles, Cathedrals & Mozart
Named a European Cultural Capital in 2009, the dynamic city of Linz offers so much to see and do! This enjoyable walking tour not only introduces you to the highlights, but to the little-known treasures as well! Led by an expert guide, stroll through the stunning medieval Altstadt (Old Town), where the lovely Hauptplatz (main square) awaits with its iconic 18th-century Trinity Column, Old City Hall, Jesuit Cathedral, nearby castle, and the house where Mozart composed his famous Linz Symphony.
Schlogen Oxbow-Passau, Germany
PORT OF CALL
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
Hiking in Passau
Since Roman times, Passau has held a magnetic attraction for traders and travelers alike, and this fantastic guided hike reveals just what makes the City of Three Rivers so special. Join your Adventure Host and come face to face with some of the area’s most treasured highlights, including the ancient walls surrounding the city’s 13th-century fortress and incredible panoramic views over the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers.
Passau, the City of Three Rivers
Discover the heart of Passau, the fascinating “City of Three Rivers” on this illuminating guided walking tour through the historic district. Situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers, the city was at one time an ancient Roman colony. Your expert guide will introduce you to St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its three onion-domed towers and 17,974-pipe organ, as well as other Old Town highlights such as the Altes Rathaus (Town Hall); Veste Oberhaus, the prince-bishops’ 13th-century fortress that looms over the town; and Dreiflusseck (Three River Corner), the unique peninsula where the rivers merge.
